Local News
‘Lack Of Funding’: Ultimate Soca Champion Off
Carnival 2026 has received another blow as organisers of the Ultimate Soca Champion (USC) have confirmed there will be no competition for soca artistes this year. The USC, introduced in 2025 as a replacement for the defunct Soca Monarch competition, will not be staged due to a lack of funding.
EMA Accelerates Approvals For Oil And Gas Projects
Between November 2025 and January 2026, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) said it issued environmental clearances to Heritage Petroleum, EOG Resources, the National Gas Company, ExxonMobil, and Perenco.
Non-Energy Sector Urged To Increase Production For Export
Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism Abigail Bynoe has called on the non-energy sector to ‘double, triple, and quadruple’ its production for export.
Govt Cancels STOW Requirement
The government has cancelled the Safe To Work (STOW) certification requirement for access to the energy sector, ending a system that, it says, imposed unfair costs and barriers to local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
‘FTC Needs Board To Enforce Law’
The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) has not been able to make enforcements for the past eight months due to the absence of its board. FTA executive director Bevan Narinesingh said the commission has been active in the board’s absence, but it was limited in that regard.
Moonilal Heading To India For Energy Conference
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal will attend India Energy Week 2026 in Goa, India, from January 27 to 30, representing Trinidad and Tobago on a global stage.
ZOSOs Could Affect Business Confidence
The newly proposed Zones of Special Operations(ZOSO) legislation has raised fresh concerns within the business community, with chamber heads warning that while the initiative may improve security, it could also disrupt commercial activity if not carefully implemented.
Exxon To Begin 3D Seismic Survey
The vessel assigned to collect 3D seismic data over the ultra-deepwater block off Trinidad and Tobago will depart Chaguaramas on Sunday, ExxonMobil has said. The survey, initially expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026, will now get under way months earlier than planned.
Govt Still Working Out Asset Tax, Says Insurance Executive
Pan American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) is closely monitoring T&T’s evolving regulatory landscape—including the Government’s proposed asset tax and planned reforms to make private pensions tax free—as the company ushers in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Winston Williams as CEO for T&T and the wider Caribbean.
Regional News
IMF: Grenada’s Economy Grew 4.4% In ‘25
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday said that Grenada’s economy continues to navigate elevated global uncertainties effectively in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, the category four storm that hit the island on July 1, 2024.
CPSO: African Union Exports To Caricom Could Surpass US$1B
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) says exports from the African Union to Caricom could surpass US$1 billion.
JSE Signals New Era Of Investor Scrutiny
The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) is preparing listed companies for a new era of investor scrutiny as climate risk, transparency, and long-term resilience become central to how investments are assessed.
Region 10 To Benefit From 15MW Solar Power Expansion
Lindeners and the wider Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are set to benefit from improved power reliability and cleaner energy following the announcement of the plans to install a 15- megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
Bermuda Announces Plans To Become World’s First Fully Onchain National Economy
The Bermuda Government has used the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to announce its plans to transform the British Overseas Territory into the world’s first fully onchain national economy, with support from the Circle and Coinbase companies.
IMF Approves US$415M Funding For Jamaica
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of US$415 million for Jamaica under the Rapid Financing Instrument’s (RFI) large natural disaster window.
CEO Leaving NCB Jamaica
National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd (NCBJ) is undergoing another leadership transition with Bruce Bowen scheduled to demit office as CEO at the end of February, marking the latest executive shift within the NCB Financial Group Ltd (NCBFG) structure.
Monday Is Budget Day
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, The Honourable Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday announced that Budget 2026 will be presented to the National Assembly on January 26, 2026.
United Oil & Gas Prepares Key Survey For Billion-Barrel Jamaican Prospect
United Oil & Gas Plc has announced that a specialised vessel is preparing to mobilise for a crucial offshore survey over its wholly-owned Walton-Morant licence, offshore Jamaica. The work represents the next tactical step in evaluating a frontier exploration asset that the company estimates to hold over seven billion barrels of prospective resources.
International News
TikTok Seals Deal To Operate In The US After Years Of Drama
TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd. have closed a long-awaited deal to transfer parts of their US operations to American investors, securing the popular video app’s future in the US and avoiding a nationwide ban.
Intel Shares Tumble As Supply Chain Snarls Hamper Turnaround
Intel’s shares plunged 12% on Friday after the company struggled to meet strong AI demand for data-center chips due to supply constraints, disappointing investors betting on its turnaround.
Gold Rises Toward $5,000 As Weaker Dollar Adds Impetus To Rally
Gold closed in on $5,000 an ounce, with geopolitical risks and renewed threats to the Federal Reserve’s independence supporting a record-breaking rally.
US Stocks Face Weekly Loss As Intel Sinks 13%
As markets drifted on Friday after a turbulent run that put the S&P 500 on pace for its first back-to-back weekly loss since June. Gold briefly rose above $4,950 an ounce.
Johnson & Johnson Forecasts 2026 Profit Above Wall Street Estimates
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday forecast 2026 sales and profit ahead of Wall Street estimates, even when including a hit of “hundreds of millions of dollars” from the drug pricing deal it signed with the Trump administration earlier this month.
Netflix Defends Warner Bros Bid As Shares Drop On Tepid Results
YouTube is not just user-generated content and cat videos anymore,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said on Tuesday. Making a compelling case for why the streaming giant wanted Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, Sarandos noted how tech giants such as Alphabet’s YouTube had changed what television viewing meant and forced Netflix to change tack to keep up.
Gold Extends Powerful Rally as Crisis Over Greenland Worsens
Gold extended its record rally as the crisis over Greenland and a meltdown in Japanese government debt supported haven demand.
Stocks Find Floor As Focus Turns To Trump At Davos
A tentative recovery in US stock futures faded as traders awaited President Donald Trump’s address at Davos to see whether he would ratchet down days of tensions with Europe over Greenland.
Gold Rises Past $4,700 As Greenland Crisis Fuels Trade War Fears
Gold rose past $4,700 an ounce to a record high, while silver also reached an all-time peak, as President Donald Trump’s push to take over Greenland stoked fears of a potential US–Europe trade war.
Reports
Local Equity Report Jan2026
Domestically, real GDP grew by 3.1% in Q2 2025, following a 7.6% contraction in Q1, as higher energy production partially offset sluggish non energy sector activity. Inflation remained low, 0.5% in November, but was up from 0.4% in October. Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.3% year-on-year in October, and consumer lending moderated to 8.0%. Labour market conditions improved, with unemployment falling to 3.8% in June 2025.
November 2025-Economic Outlook
November 2025-Earnings Update
Economic Outlook – OCT2025
Global GDP growth has improved relative to earlier forecasts, reflecting the gradual easing of trade tensions and resilience.
Earnings Update – OCT2025
During October, Guardian Holdings Limited boasted of a 114% lift in after tax profit, owing to the gain on sale of its stake in Thoma Exploitatie B.V. Excluding this, however, underlying profit grew by 7%, or 43 million thanks to a 34% rise in insurance service results.
US Rate Watch OCT 2025
On October 29, 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00 % from 4.00% – 4.25%. This decision was supported by a moderation in economic activity, a softer labor market, and elevated inflation.
Economic Outlook – September 30th 2025
Earnings Update – September 30th, 2025
Pelagic Series Factsheets – September 30th, 2025
